Fans react as Phil Salt’s brutal brilliance powers England to four-wicket victory over Ireland in 1st T20I

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England opened their three-match T20 series against Ireland with a convincing four-wicket win at Malahide, Dublin. Phil Salt was the star of the show once again, hammering a blistering 89 off 46 balls to put the visitors firmly in control. It was England’s first victory over Ireland in T20 internationals after their previous completed encounter ended in defeat. Despite strong efforts from Harry Tector (61) and Lorcan Tucker (50), Ireland’s 196-run total was not enough against a ruthless English batting line-up. Jacob Bethell, captaining England for the first time at just 21 years old, guided the side with composure despite a few middle-order wobbles. With two more matches to come on Friday and Sunday, England take a crucial lead in the series.

England’s chase of 197 began with aggressive intent, Salt immediately carrying over his scintillating form from Old Trafford against South Africa. His clean striking dismantled Ireland’s new-ball bowlers, with Barry McCarthy and Graham Hume struggling to find rhythm. Salt raced to a half-century in just 20 balls, scattering the ball to every corner of Malahide with four sixes and ten boundaries in his innings. Ireland briefly found hope when Curtis Campher held a high catch to dismiss Jos Buttler for 28, but Salt continued relentlessly.

Even after surviving a reprieve when he was caught off a Harry Tector no-ball, Salt made the most of the lifeline. The opener’s dominance ensured England raced to 84-1 in the powerplay, leaving Ireland shell-shocked. Jacob Bethell, in his debut outing as captain, looked promising with 24 runs before falling to a loose shot, but Salt carried the momentum with another flurry of boundaries. His dismissal came in the 15th over, caught by Ross Adair off Hume for a commanding 89, narrowly missing back-to-back centuries. By then, England were already cruising, and despite quick wickets from Hume and Gareth Delany, the target was never in doubt. Jamie Overton sealed the win with a boundary, ensuring England crossed the line with 20 balls remaining. Salt’s fireworks set the tone for a confident and clinical victory, reminding Ireland of the gulf in finishing power.

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Convinced Phil Salt will complete his mission & become the best T20I batsman in the world 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🧨 #IREvENG

— David Patterson (@DPatz13) September 17, 2025

Ireland made a good fist of it with a burst of wickets at the end but England won by 4 wickets in the 1st T20I#IREvENG

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) September 17, 2025

The perfect start to the series 💥

Led by another exhilarating @PhilSalt1 innings, @englandcricket chase down a challenging total with overs to spare 💪#IREvENG

— PCA (@PCA) September 17, 2025

England take a 1-0 lead in the series 👏#IREvENG

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) September 17, 2025

Is Phil Salt the best T20 batsman in the world right now? Certainly the most in form. #IREvENG

— Harry 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@harryxafc) September 17, 2025

Phil Salt is rubbing it in again!

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) September 17, 2025

19 ball fifty other day, 20 ball fifty today. Phil Rockstar Salt is back doing his thing.

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) September 17, 2025

🦁 A winning start! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Victory by four wickets in our series opener! 🏏

Match Centre: https://t.co/HJvt1MkksO

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2025

England claimed the first game of the series with a 4-wicket win 🏏

WATCH (Ireland/UK): TNT 1 (410)SCORE: https://t.co/cMkGA12bcO#BackingGreen #TokenFi

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) September 17, 2025

England sealed the match by 4 wickets with 14 balls remaining 🌟#Cricket #IREvsENG #englandcricket

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 17, 2025

Put into bat first by Bethell, Ireland got off to a brisk start as Paul Stirling and Ross Adair unleashed early boundaries in the powerplay. Stirling in particular was explosive, striking two of his four sixes onto the hospitality tent roof, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer. Ireland raced to 49-0 in six overs before England fought back through Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid. Adair fell to a boundary catch by Salt, and Stirling soon followed with a mistimed swipe to Will Jacks, suddenly halting Ireland’s momentum.  Tector then took charge, playing a superb knock that combined smart singles with powerful hitting. His 61 off 36 balls included seven boundaries, and he looked set for a big finish before edging the penultimate ball to Buttler. Tucker supported brilliantly with 50, rotating strike and finding gaps to build a steady stand. Together, Tector and Tucker ensured Ireland didn’t collapse under pressure, lifting the score near 200.

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